This week, 175 educators from across Texas traveled to the state capital, using their spring break to push lawmakers for increased school funding and improved classroom conditions.
Teachers, paraprofessionals, and education advocates from Houston, the Rio Grande Valley, Central Texas, and Dallas gathered at the Capitol to support Texas AFT’s Educator’s Bill of Rights and to oppose private school voucher proposals.
According to Texas AFT’s press release, educators met with legislators throughout the day, sharing firsthand experiences from their classrooms and urging officials to increase the basic allotment in the school finance bill.
Later in the afternoon, a rally took place in the Capitol’s outdoor rotunda, featuring speeches from Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy and Rev. Megan Peglar, senior minister of the University Christian Church of Austin.
“For the second week in a row, Texas educators have sacrificed their spring breaks to come to Austin and make their voices heard,” said Zeph Capo, president of Texas AFT. “Educators are imploring their lawmakers to drop the voucher scam gamesmanship and fully invest in public school classrooms, which serve the overwhelming majority of Texas kids.”
Capo emphasized that lawmakers can no longer make decisions behind closed doors without accountability, citing recent backlash at town halls where pro-voucher legislators faced criticism from their communities.
The Educator’s Bill of Rights outlines key reforms to improve both teaching and learning conditions, including a defined workday, safe classrooms, smaller class sizes, fair wages, and a reliable pension system. Advocates argue that when educators are supported, students benefit as well.
One of the group’s central demands is a significant increase to the state’s per-student funding. Texas AFT is calling for a $1,386 per-student boost to keep up with inflation since the last funding increase in 2019. The current proposal in House Bill 2 falls far short, offering only a $220 increase.
Educators also made clear their opposition to private school vouchers, warning that such programs would siphon funds from public schools, increase property taxes, and destabilize already struggling school districts. Opponents argue that vouchers would balloon in cost over time, ultimately undermining any funding increases or teacher pay raises passed this session.
Governor Greg Abbott has continued to push for school vouchers, using campaign funds to target Republicans who oppose them. With newly appointed House Speaker Dustin Burrows backing his initiative, Abbott has expressed confidence that the measure will finally pass.
“This time, the difference is leadership,” Abbott told supporters in Austin. “For the first time, we have a speaker who is willing to stand up and champion school choice.”
However, opposition remains strong, particularly from Democrats, rural Republicans and public school advocates.
“Do you think our taxpayers’ dollars should go to a family making $500,000 a year already sending their kids to private school?” asked Rep. James Talarico during a House hearing last week.
